KTM 1290 Super Duke R Dealer Launch from Wine Country | Video

Earlier this year, KTM invited its stateside dealers to California’s Wine Country to launch the “beast” – the 2014 1290 Super Duke R.

Film crews were on hand at the launch as dealers took their first rides aboard KTM’s latest naked motorcycle; the video is attached above.

This machine, which impressed us during its launch in Spain last October, arrives with an RC-8-derived, 75-degree V-twin delivering 106 ft.-lb. of torque.

The Super Duke R, which weighs 416-lb. motorcycle, is further enhanced by Brembo brakes, Ride-by-Wire, traction control, ABS, and a single-sided swingarm – the first for a KTM motorcycle.

And as for riding it, here’s a bit from our review from the Ascari launch in Spain: “So the Super Duke R should be a cantankerous, difficult to ride, herky-jerky machine; indeed, KTM itself refers to the bike as “The Beast.” But despite being a wannabe Bad Boy, the Super Duke R is cleverly sanitized without being reined in. Although an expert level machine, it’s easy to ride, and it’s easy to ride very fast.”